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Sunday, December 31, 2017

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By Kamau Austin

How One Brutha Loves And Respects You

Can I be truly honest before the year ends? I wanna be honest and
express my heart felt praise and appreciation for one group in
particular before the year ends: Black Women. Black women - I
want to thank you for supporting me and being there for me and the
community at large. I want to sing your praises even If I ain't the
greatest singer. I see dudes on social media and videos dissing you and talking bad about you. But I'm not one of those dudes. (See More After Sponsors Message)...

Saturday, December 30, 2017

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Remembering The Most Moving Stories Of2017 In The Southeast Queens Scoop

This year ending of 2017, the Southeast Queens Scoop (The SEQ Scoop), newsblog published over 718 events and articles. The majority of the blog posts were positive events and articles about the Greater Jamaica and Southeast Queens, NY, area.

The SEQ Scoop was viewed over 210,000 times in about 7 months. This newsblog reached over 43,000 visits in the last month. In short we had a pretty strong showing for a local newsblog that is community focused although we carried a good deal of uplifting and provocative national stories as well.

We had some very popular stories that were viewed by thousands and tens of thousands of people each. The following are the top 7 stories of 2017 as of 12/30/2017.

Friday, December 29, 2017

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Celebrate Kwanzaa Today In The Principle OfUjamaa The Spirit Of Cooperative Economics

There will be a Celebration of the 5th Principle of Kwanzaa, "Ujamaa" or Cooperative Economics, today at Rochdale Village in Jamaica NY. Ujamaa which means "Cooperative Economics," and is celebrated the 5th day of Kwanzaa. Did you know that Black businesses only receive 7% support by Black customers and still employ 1 million people?

Did you know if Black people increased their support from 7% to 25% for their businesses they could employ every unemployed Black person in the US today? Let's stop looking to others to do what we can do for ourselves and build our communities together economically. Let's Work Together!

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Legal Hand Is Mobilizing InJanuary To Protect Immigrants

Legal Hand Jamaica is dedicating the January 2018 Know-Your-Rights workshops to address many aspects of empowering and protecting immigrants in our community. Please join us for this important workshops and our second annual Sanctuary for All event on 1/19/2018.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

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Southeast Queens Clergy Learn About Finance Strategies

After all the holiday shopping and gift giving, travel expenses and credit card bills, who would like to start off the new year by saving a little money? Savings and financial planning was the topic at this month's clergy breakfast hosted by State Senator James Sanders Jr. on December 14, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church in Far Rockaway. The training featured financial experts with a combined total of 35 years of experience. They were Edwin Cabral of State Farm and Jeffrey R. Brown of Time Financial, with a combined total of more than 35 years of experience, both of whom made some recommendations on how to make our wallets heavier and our piggy bank overflow.

Prepare To Take Your Business To The Next Level Networking In The Spirit Of Cooperative Economics

If you are a business person you can't be successful alone. You have to create a team and network with other individuals to cultivate customers and clients to grow your business. The Southeast Queens Scoop, is sponsoring a networking event to help encourage and grow Black businesses in the area.

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Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder Maulana Karenga, called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba—the seven principles of African Heritage), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy," consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world."

While some have issues with the Founder of Kwanzaa, the holiday's focus on unity and other principles have transcended any one individual and is embraced by millions of Blacks and people of African descent throughout the world. So we celebrate the 7 Principles of Kwanzaa.These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili word meaning “common”. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:

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Learn To Do Edible Crafts With Your Children

The Eastern Queens Alliance is pleased to present a special holiday week of crafts workshops.Wednesday, December 27th – Mommy/Daddy and Me Crafts Workshop – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm – Parents and their children will learn how to build edible gingerbread houses together that they take home and enjoy. Parents must participate.Thursday, December 28th – Build It / Eat It Delicious Cookie Craft – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm – Youth will learn how to build edible bird feeders for our local feathered friends and fantastic gingerbread houses that they take home and enjoy later!

Thursday, December 21, 2017

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Explore the music of Frank Loesser, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Maury Yeston with cabaret artist Jackie Schiffer! Developed a love for the stage early-on, Jackie Schiffer is a versatile actor, singer, and arts educator, who has appeared on many of New York’s leading cabaret and Off-Broadway stages.

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Immanuel Wilkins is an American Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger, and Band Leader. While growing up in the Philadelphia area, he played in his church and dedicated himself to teaching jazz music in places such as the Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts.

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Attend The Inaugural Ceremony OfCouncil Member Adrienne E. Adams

The honor of your presence is requested at the inaugural ceremony of Council Member Adrienne E. Adams. The inauguration is open to the public and all are welcome! To RSVP, please e-mail AAdamsRSVP@gmail.com.

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Los Angeles, CA Belinda Baker, star of the day time talk show, "Changing Steps," has announced the launch of her new fragrance line, “Kiya 12.” Earlier this year Ms. Baker’s granddaughter Chakiya died at the age of 12 from prevotella oris a cancerous disease that often goes unnoticed and undetected.

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Houston, TX - The holiday season is a time of joy for some, but for others it is a time of stress and anxiety. Glenda Bundy, integrative nurse coach and founder of Time Mind Life Health and Wellness Coaching has launched a meditation tool to help busy women address stress and anxiety during one of the most stressful times of the year.

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Organization Brings FinTech Training To Young People

Nationwide Teaching children the basics of finance as well as technology
is the need of the hour today to prepare them for the future. Fortified
Technical Solutions recently organized the world’s first Children
FinTech Expo at Jones County High School in Gray, GA, on December 3,
2017, that took the first step of raising awareness on these two
important areas of life and career.

With the razor thin but invigorating win of new Mayor Elect Keisha Lance Bottoms, in the Atlanta Mayoral runoff election race recently, my imagination is fired with the possibly of New York City electing its 1st Black woman to the office of Mayor in 2021. While this may seem a bit far fetched nevertheless if you look closer at the dynamics of electoral politics in New York City, this is a distant but nevertheless distinct possibility.

But why would people think a Black Mayor in NYC is a possibility when the Big Apple hasn't had a Black Mayor in decades? New York City has had only one Black Mayor in its history. With gentrification and demographic changes some may think having a Black female Mayor in NYC is a stretch at best.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

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Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) partnered with the Citizens Committee for New York City to host a Community Grant Workshop at the Multi-Service Center in South Jamaica on December 6, 2017.

Over thirty members from garden committees, civic organizations, tenant associations and block associations spanning areas from Springfield Gardens to the Rockaways arrived eager to learn how their respective groups could receive grant funding through the CCNYC, which has been helping New Yorkers improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods for over 40 years.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

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State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) held a Senior Job and Resource Fair on December 14, 2017 at the South Jamaica Multi-Service Center. Recognizing that the best things come with age including experience and responsibility, Senator Sanders sought to match those ages 55 and older with employment opportunities.More than 75 seniors attended the event. Some were seeking extra income to make ends meet, while others wanted a little extra financial security, and then there were those who were seeking to make better use of their time and feel productive. Whatever the case, there was a wide array of companies on site to suit their needs. There were positions available in the fields of home health care, customer service, and retail seasonal assignments. Organizations like the Department of Labor tried to match seniors to positions based on their experience and resume.

Monday, December 18, 2017

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After 3 Weeks There Are No Arrests ForThe Murder Of Desiree Gibbon

By Kamau Austin

After nearly 3 weeks there have been no arrests in the chilling case of Desiree Gibbons, The Hollis, Queens, resident who was brutally murdered on the Island of Jamaica, West Indies. And her mother is losing confidence in the ability of the authorities in Jamaica to bring her killers to justice. Some accounts state Gibbons was staying in Jamaica, developing some media projects she was working on and reportedly looking to go to film school in Europe. Other sources say she was just vacationing.The Daily News, reported her grandparents owned an hotel on the island called "Gibb's Chateau." Desiree was 26, and her mother Andrea Cali-Gibbon, felt that she knew her killers. She suggested Desiree was not the type to go out with people she didn't know.According to Pix 11 News "Somebody summoned her out of that hotel," Cali-Gibbon said. "She knew them, and she knew them well. She had not been around them once or twice; she had been around these people multiple times. Probably in the three-plus weeks she was there."

Picture of the late Desiree Gibbon and her mother Andrea Cali-Gibbon Courtesy The Daily News

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Scrooge – This wonderful heartfelt play is a cross between Scrooge and Annie. The cast features James Garrett as Mortimer Scrumbald (Scrooge) and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and the Future.

Each year we honor a surprise guest performer. The young actors who portray the orphans are part of the East Harlem Youth Repertory Theater. This play is perfect for grades Pre-K through 8th grade. 55 minutes.

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Nationwide W.K. Kellogg Foundation President and CEO La June Montgomery Tabron delivered the following speech for the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum openings on Saturday, December 9, 2017:But the Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Right Museum occupy a special place in my heart. Years ago my parents, Mary and Herbert Montgomery, left Clarksdale, Mississippi for Detroit. This was not an easy decision for them. They were truly pulling up roots.

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Nationwide Terrance Amen, founder and CEO of 3UFirst, is making a call to Black leaders to come together to finally solve the major problems in the Black community.For the past 50 years, leaders working individually have not solved the major problems of discrimination in, getting jobs, housing, banking, business and investment opportunities, entertainment, and other areas. This includes church leaders, the Nation of Islam, NAACP, Black media, and others. So, what’s the solution to still having to rely on people outside our community for our livelihood?

Two Southeast Queens celebrities and business moguls Daymond John, and Russell Simmons, are in the news. These two business barons both hail from Hollis, Queens.

Since these two legendary celebrity standouts come from the same neighborhood you would think, of course, they have a natural interest and familiarity to collaborate on some projects together. So it shouldn't be any surprise to anyone that Daymond John would reach out to Russell Simmons for his new book Rise & Grind.Rise & Grind, is being billed as a book which reveals the habits and procedures of successful high performers in business and other aspects of life. Russell Simmons of course would be included in a book of high performers, coming from humble beginnings in the working class and middle income area of Hollis, Queens, to being a globally recognized brand and millionaire. However, with his highly anticipated book ready to be published, Daymond decided to make a quick omitting of Simmons because of recent claims about his sexual scandals.

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BBQ And Soul Food Is Soaring At "House Of Smoke!"

By Kamau Austin

Near the Historic mural of the legends of St. Albans, is a new promising BBQ and soul food establishment called the "House of Smoke." The House of Smoke is poised to soar in its reputation for tasty BBQ and soul food and is a family business run by the Eagle family. The Eagles, are a family of long time residents in the Southeast Queens area.

The family, like a lot of our families, has southern roots. The recipes come from the grandmother of the family and she has a good touch for soul food.

The Eagles tell me their speciality is BBQ ribs. They also offer BBQ Chicken and fish like Whiting, Tilapia, and Shrimp.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

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Daymond "The Shark" John, Founder of FUBU, and State Senator Leroy Comrie Spread Christmas Cheer With Gifts For Area Children

Southeast Queens raised business standout Daymond John, Founder of FUBU, along with newly elected Council Member Adrienne Adams, the NYPD, Toys For Tots, FUBUmobil and State Senator Leroy Comrie, recently sponsored the Hip Hop Summit Youth Council Toy Giveaway. They reportedly were able "to distribute toys to kids at both P.S. 40Q and P.S. 48Q" according to Senator Comrie.

Comrie went on to state "one of my office's greatest traditions is working with the community to spread cheer at the holiday to all families. Moreover, the Senator stated "I am glad that these events are helping to secure a partnership between the Hip Hop Summit Youth Council, that they can continue to work together into the new year to provide scholarships, support, and mentorship to the students at these schools."

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Columbus, Dawnell Jacobs, a local Georgia educator, has released her highest selling novel in bookstores, Amazon and on Kindle. Writer’s Digest has hailed her novel as "a classic love triangle" with a "satisfactory" conclusion.

Although unknown to most readers, the characters in her novel are based loosely on her own life. At 17 years old, Jacobs was homeless. Her mother, due to a mental illness, abandoned her and her three younger siblings (ages 3, 5, and 7) in the care of social services.

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Nationwide Don't Be A Dumb Jock: Why Education, Social Responsibility and Financial Independence Go Hand and Ball by Aaron Johnson speaks through the lens of a former college football athlete. Johnson has more than 25 years of competitive athletic and fitness education experience.

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In a contemporary environment where so many singles, couples, and married individuals are seeking answers, solutions, and advice, the husband and wife team of Shelbie and Hasani Ali have worked collaboratively to merge their creative energies and writing skills to pen the book, Fasting: Make Your Love Electric.

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It’s Wednesday evening, then its movie time at the Central Library. Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate “Captain” Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor’s daughter, from Jack’s former pirate allies, who are now undead.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

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Bowie, MD - It is the height of the holiday shopping season. Money is a necessity. Because of the influences of capitalism here in the U.S., cash remains king, regardless of whoever assumes the presidential office.Meanwhile, fewer workers are covered by pensions, an alarming 2/3 of the labor force with retirement plans admit to not regularly contributing to their 401(k), and the future of Social Security provisions is becoming more and more questionable.People are also living longer. Those who have spent their entire lives working hard for every penny now need to think smarter. And the smarter way is by making wise decisions with the money we’ve worked so hard for.

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Nationwide Attorney Zulu Ali, founder of the Law Offices of Zulu Ali in Riverside, California and the Justice by Jury Reform Initiative Committee (JJRI Committee), will be hosting a conference as a nationwide initiative to address the rising crisis of wrongful convictions and police brutality against blacks and other citizens.

Attorney Ali has issued the following statement on behalf of the committee:

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Bristow, OK Articulate Communication Publications, SLLC is a Christian based company desirous of bringing positivity and innovation to the family-oriented community of Bristow, OK.

As small business owners, they wish to boost the economy by enhancing the artistic goals of authors, musicians, entrepreneurs, and performers, curb delinq Ruency in the area and augment the historic value of Route 66.

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Fashion Company For Toddlers Reflects TheCreativity Of Two Sisters

Chicago, IL- Kid sisters Stephanie and Samantha Smith have set out to show the world their concept of high fashion. Their company,SASS-E Todds,is a unique clothing line created by toddlers for toddlers.

The two girls love to create and design clothing and accessories. They are hosting A Play Date Pop Up Shop at Little Hand Learning Center on December 16th at 2:00pm in Chicago, IL.

Southeast Queens, increasingly is drawing a diverse population. However the area still is over 90% Black. It also has a historic place in Black and US history in that it is the first large area in the US where the average Black income exceeded whites in the surrounding area. With this heritage of economic progress there's no surprise that residents are extremely interested in homeownership and economic empowerment.

The Greater Jamaica and Southeast Queens area is also home to one of the largest concentrations of Black homeowners in the country. However, Southeast Queens, homeowners experienced the largest amount foreclosures in NYC related to the Great Recession of 2008.

In has been known now that ethnic or interest groups who have been able to form lending organizations for homes or businesses like credit unions or microfinance business lending organizations have been able to accelerate their economic success. For example there are nonprofits that have been able to give tens of billions of dollars to their ethnic groups like Accion and Grameen Bank (to Latinos and Asians respectively) with business loans. In a similar fashion credit unions have been able to help members get less predatory lending for homes, cars, and even student loans than commercial banks focused on profit margins.

But what is a credit union and how can it help Southeast Queens? According to Wikipedia "A credit union is a member-owned financial cooperative, democratically controlled by its members, and operated for the purpose of promoting thrift, providing credit at competitive rates, and providing other financial services to its members."

Could a similar type of nonprofit financial organization help residents further economically develop Southeast Queens? Enter Saywalah Kesselly, the catalyst behind the Southeast Queens Proposed Credit Union to give us the mission of the developing nonprofit finance organization.

Saywalah Kesselly

Saywalah Kesselly - Saywalah graduated from the W.V.S. Tubman High School in Liberia in 1981, and immigrated to the United States in 1984 in search of higher education, graduated from Baruch College with a BBA degree in Economics in 1991. Currently, Saywalah is the Executive Director of the African Center for Community Empowerment (ACCE).

Saywalah started the ACCE, after some young people he personally knew were killed in senseless violence. He started the Center to help young people excel in life.

He has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the Joseph P. Addabo Family Health Center, Farmers Boulevard Community Development Corporation and former President of the Board of Directors of Arverne Limited Profit Housing Corporation.

He is also the recipient of numerous awards including the 2005 Union Square Award, 2006 HBA / Times Ledger Newspaper “Community Impact Awards,” New York City Council Citations and many others. These days Selwayla is very involved in the creation of a Proposed Southeast Queens Credit Union (FCU) to help bring about credit and economic development in the area. Our Associate Publisher, Dujon Ricks, caught up with Kesselly for a brief interview.